Abstract: Side-slip of an aircraft during flight is detected through a pair of pressure sensors fixedly mounted on opposite lateral sides of the aircraft fuselage. Pressure measurement signals at said sensors are fed to electronic circuitry within the aircraft for generating magnitude and frequency signals reflective of the side-slip that are applied to a pair of vibrators respectively mounted on the undersides of a pair of pilot foot pedals located within the cockpit. The foot pedals are connected by linkage to the tail rudder on the aircraft fuselage. The varying magnitude and frequency of vibrations applied to the rudder foot pedals by the vibrators enables the pilot to immediately sense side-slip through the feet on the pedals. In response to such side-slip sensing, one of the pedals may be timely depressed for side-slip corrective angular displacement of the rudder.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 2004
Date of Patent:
December 4, 2007
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy